WV Farm Bureau Magazine January 2014 | Page 15

should complete the existing term. TERM LIMITATIONS FOR ELECTED OFFICIALS Farm Bureau supports term limitations for the members of the U.S. Congress and the WV Legislature. We propose a limit of two, six-year terms in succession for U.S. Senators and six, two-year terms in succession for members of the U.S. House of Representatives. We recommend comparable 12-year limits for members of the West Virginia Senate, House of Delegates and State Supreme Court of Appeals. OFFICE OF LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR AND ELECTION OF STATE OFFICIALS Farm Bureau is opposed to the creation of the office of Lieutenant Governor. The state population, tax base, and requirements of this office would not justify the creation of another executive position. We further recommend that all of the present state elective offices be continued as such and that the Executive Branch of Government should not be expanded. CONSOLIDATION OF CITY & COUNTY GOVERNMENTS Should government consolidation be proposed, each incorporated municipality and the voting precincts in the areas of the county outside the municipality must approve the consolidation by a two-thirds majority vote. REVISION OF STATE CONSTITUTION Farm Bureau opposes the holding of a State Constitutional Convention for general redrafting of the existing Constitution. WORDING ON BALLOTS Farm Bureau recommends that amendments or issues placed on the ballot for voter consideration be worded in such a manner that a simple yes or no means exactly that, and not be worded in such a manner as to be confusing to the voter. RECALL OF PUBLIC OFFICIALS We recommend that public officials in West Virginia be subject to recall with the possibility of removal from office by popular vote. SELECTION OF JUDGES IN THE SYSTEM OF COURTS IN WV Farm Bureau supports changing the system of selection of justices and judges in West Virginia’s courts to a nonpartisan ballot. FEDERAL DESECRATION OF THE UNITED STATES FLAG The United States Supreme Court has ruled that states could not impose a penalty for desecration of one’s personal United States flag. Farm Bureau believes that the United States flag is a symbol of freedom and liberty unequaled in the world and that the wanton destruction of our flag demeans the values, which we, as free people, hold so dear. We recommend that any American flag sold which is 2 ft. x 3 ft. or larger come with instructions for proper use – display and disposal. We support a constitutional amendment making flag desecration a felony. BALANCED FEDERAL BUDGET Farm Bureau insists on a balanced federal budget, accomplished by reducing federal government expenditures and not increasing taxes. Any balanced budget proposal should require full compliance in not more than five years. AMENDMENTS FOR BOND ISSUES Farm Bureau recommends that amendments for bond issues not be presented to the people by the Legislature unless it is clearly stated how the bonds are to be retired, and how the funds are to be distributed. West Virginia Farm Bureau News 15